Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price, 75, is facing trial on 12 felony public-corruption charges, including directing nearly $1 million in public funds to his wife’s consulting firm, Del Richardson & Associates, Inc. Price is accused of voting on matters involving his wife’s firm without disclosing conflicts of interest, embezzlement, and perjury.
Price, who represents South Los Angeles, has been known for his work in one of the city’s poorest communities, focusing on neighborhood infrastructure, affordable housing, and social programs. However, prosecutors allege that between 2019 and 2021, Richardson’s firm received over $950,000 from developers, the Housing Authority, and LA Metro while seeking work with the city.
The allegations against Price include supporting funding motions without disclosing conflicts, embezzling city funds by placing his wife on his health insurance plan while falsely claiming she was his spouse, and steering city lease agreements and federal COVID-19 grants to non-profit organizations where he had a financial interest.
During the trial, Price’s deputy chief of staff testified that staff members missed conflicts of interest and failed to properly flag them in advance. Prosecutors argued that the process was designed to shield Price and avoid public scrutiny.
This case is not the first instance of corruption within the Los Angeles City Council. In recent years, other council members such as Mark Ridley-Thomas, José Luis Huizar, and Mitchell Englander have faced legal troubles for various corruption-related charges.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman emphasized the importance of holding Price accountable for the alleged corruption. Price’s arraignment is scheduled for March 13 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. The trial will continue to shed light on the ongoing issues of public corruption within the city council.
